Democracy In Danger

The acute politicisation of the state and non-state organs, a re-emergence of status quoists, and a nexus between the traditional elite, the state bureaucracy, and security agencies ail our young democracy. The police all-too-often suppresses minority voices, whose crusade against marginalisation and discrimination collides with the pursuits of those in power........... Major political parties want to politicise the security and government agencies so that these agencies can be used to suit their interests and torment opponents, even when the parties are not in power. This is one reason the political parties accord such high priority to winning elections and forming a government. Politicisation pervades all sectors, including the education sector. Our primary schoolteachers have been so politicised that they influence public votes during elections. Elections in our country, thus, are deeply flawed. Often, state employees deployed for work during elections are found to be serving the interests of the major political parties. They do so because the employees have received favours from these parties in the past or expect some in the future. ...... Nepal received remittance worth 23.1 percent of GDP in the fiscal year 2012/13 and 22.1 percent in 2013/14. But every day, dead bodies also arrive from the Gulf countries. The remittance that Nepal receives comes at a huge price when the exploitation of Nepali youth and women abroad is taken into account. The country’s economy now seems to be a coffin economy. By the time the new constitution is promulgated, Nepal might be drained of its youths. ...... The forces for change also need to think of bringing timely changes to the permanent establishment of Nepal (Army/police, and bureaucracy) who often serve the interests of the traditional elite. The business community, courts, and the media also do not seem to go against the wishes of the traditional elite on some important issues. Civil society has become a part of the power structure as well, with very few members going against the wishes of the power elite. If change-seeking forces do not adopt aggressive methods to safeguard new changes, counter-revolutionary forces may gain further ground.